For Immediate Release: December 5, 2002
For More Information Contact:
Keith Severson, Marketing Services
Manager, 831.768.2063

Graniterock’s Northern Road Materials Plants Receive National Asphalt Pavement Association's (NAPA) Diamond Achievement Award
Each of Graniterock’s Northern Road Materials Hot Plant locations was notified earlier this week that they have earned NAPA's Diamond Achievement Commendation for excellence in Hot Mix Asphalt Plant/Site Operations for the fourth year in a row. Graniterock’s Northern Road Materials Division operates plants in San Jose, Redwood City and South San Francisco. The Diamond Achievement Program is designed to encourage and recognize standards of excellence in plant/site operations.

Earning the Diamond Achievement Commendation is a signal that a hot mix asphalt facility is a good neighbor. Plants are assessed in appearance, operations, environmental practices, safety, permitting and compliance and community relations. "By earning the Diamond Achievement, Graniterock has shown the community that it will go the extra mile for excellence," said NAPA.

Each branch completed a self-assessment of six separate categories of the plant and plant/site operations: Appearance, Operations, Environmental, Safety, Community Relations and Permitting & Compliance were the areas assessed. "We are very pleased to receive this award. Much of the success is due to the Baseline Goals that were already in place. Although we scored very high in most areas of the assessment, each plant was able to identify areas for further improvement and will add action items to their Annual Improvement Plans," said Rich Sacher, Division Manager.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association is the only association that exclusively represents the interests of the Hot Mix Asphalt producer/contractor on the national level with Congress, government agencies, and other national trade and business organizations. NAPA supports an active research program designed to improve the quality of HMA pavements and paving techniques used in the construction of roads, highways, parking lots, airports and environmental and recreational facilities. The Association, which counts more than 800 companies among its Members, was founded in 1955.

Graniterock has been headquartered in Watsonville, California, since it’s founding in 1900. The Company's employees work in branch locations in South San Francisco, Redwood City, San Jose, Salinas, Monterey, Oakland, Watsonville, Felton and Santa Cruz. Graniterock supplies construction materials including ready-mix concrete, hot mix asphalt, building materials, landscaping supplies, rock, sand and gravel. The Company's Pavex Construction Division is a significant regional heavy engineering contractor building roadways, airports and private commercial and residential projects. Graniterock received the 1992 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the 1994 Governor's Golden State Quality Award. The Company was named one of the 100 Best Places to Work in America by Fortune Magazine-the fifth consecutive year Graniterock was so honored.